THE SCOTTISH speed ski record claimed by a Dundee University medical researcher has been disputed by a Fort William speed skier who says he is the record holder.

Dr Nigel Brockton said last week that he had set the record at the Speed Skiing Pro World Championships in Les Arcs, France, with a speed of 241.450 kph.

However, Norman Clark has now laid claim to the record, which he said he set at the same event two years ago with a speed of 221.67 kph.

Mr Clark, who has not skied all season due to family commitments but hopes to return to the slopes next season, also said that as Dr Brockton is English he is not eligible for the Scottish title.

“I was saddened to read Nigel’s false claims that he has set a new Scottish record. This is the second time Nigel has claimed something he is not entitled to,” said Mr Clark.

“He previously claimed the British record when clearly Mark Ponsan had gone faster in the same race, and although Mark lives in France, he is British and is entitled to be the record holder.

“Nigel was born in England so he cannot claim the Scottish record. I did not race this year due to family commitments and last year at Les Arcs, when I did race in the same race as Nigel, I beat him.”

Dr Brockton defended his claim to the title, saying he regards himself as Scottish.

He explained, “I was brought up in Braemar from the age of four until I was 12 and I have lived in Scotland for the last 16 years, so as far as I’m concerned Scotland is my home.

“To represent any Scottish national team you have to have lived here for three years. I’m going to contact the ski federation and Sport UK to get them to clarify the eligibility rules.

“I have only ever represented Britain or Scotland in competitions and have never competed under English nationality,” added Dr Brockton.

Speed skiers wear skin-tight rubber suits, leg fairings and aerodynamic helmets and, using 240 cm skis, accelerate faster than a Formula 1 racing car.

The piste in Les Arcs is just over 1 km long with a vertical drop of 600m (almost 2000 feet). Each descent takes only 20 seconds. The Pro World Championships were the last race of the season so preparations are now under way for next year.